Today's Opinions

Last month marked one year since we learned of the gross mismanagement at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that resulted in tragic outcomes for those who have made countless sacrifices to protect our nation’s freedoms. The problems within the VA are the result of a broken system, and though our work is far from over, the House has worked to implement meaningful, structural reforms to ensure our veterans have the care they deserve.

The Bedford County Board of Supervisors opted Monday to provide the school system with $735,000 in additional funds for teacher raises. That allocation takes up most of the county’s funds not previously budgeted for the upcoming year.
That should help calm a bit of the angst felt by teachers and school personnel asking for raises this year. While the supervisors aren’t raising taxes, they are looking positively at the school system’s needs.

As I mentioned in this space back in the Bulletin’s Sept 17 edition, liberals can be a lot of fun. Specifically, needling liberals can be a lot of fun because the have such a “holier than thou” attitude that it’s not difficult to anger them. Last year, I only had to put out some bait, and wait for Rick Howell to go ballistic. This year, I had to needle him twice to get him to lift safeties.

People who consider themselves “pro-life” have spent decades protesting abortion and rallying against Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that certified the legal right to an abortion.
For most of them, they have long ignored the other aspect of the “pro-life” equation, which is capital punishment. In fact, most conservatives who are adamantly against abortion are also in favor of the death penalty.

Tax Day has come and gone, but the aggravation and frustration of tax season is still fresh in many minds. It’s during this particularly “taxing” time of year that hard working Americans are confronted with piles of forms, confusing instructions, and the prospect of turning more of their hard-earned money over to the government. Anyone who has filed taxes knows that the current tax code is overly complex and unfair. If America is to remain competitive in the global economy and build an economy ripe with opportunity here at home, the current tax system must be reformed.

Donald Trump seems to have a penchant of putting his mouth in gear without engaging his brain. The most recent example occurred after Senator John McCain referred to Trump’s supporters as “crazies.” There has been some speculation that Senator McCain may have said this in an effort to bait Trump, knowing it would push him over the edge and get him to say something outrageous. However, Senator McCain, himself, has a reputation for making intemperate remarks when he’s irritated.